The Red Pump Project

The Red Pump Project’s mission is “to promote HIV prevention through education and open dialogue about the issues that surround sexual and reproductive health.”

Did you know that the first case of AIDS in the United States was reported in June 1981?  That’s just four years before I was born and I’m not even old yet!  1.7 million people in  the United States have been infected with HIV in the last 30 years.  600,000 of those persons have already lost their lives to this illness and an estimated 1.1 million more are currently living with the disease.

There are HIV/AIDS cases have been reported in all 50 states.  Every 9 1/2 minutes someone in the United States becomes HIV positive and every 35 minutes one of those persons infected is a female.  African Americans represent 48% of HIV cases in the United States and every year 45 % of new reported cases are also African American.  Why does this matter?

Well, HIV and AIDS are incurable but 100% preventable.  Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) destroys your immune system by attacking your T-cells and CD4 cells.  Without these cells your body becomes unable to fight off sickness.  Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is the last stage of HIV.  At this stage your immune system has pretty much shut down completely.  You become more at risk of developing pneumonia, viral and fungal infections, parasites and even cancer.

The Red Pump Project was started by Luvvie Ajayi and Karyn Watkins in March 2009 as a way to raise awareness about the affects of HIV/AIDS amongst women, especially African Americans through their Rock the Red Pump campaign.  After all African American account for 66% of new AIDS cases.  Thus, March 10th is reserved as National Women and Girls  HIV/AIDS Awareness Day and is celebrated to raise awareness about the severity of how these epidemics have affects us as females as well as educating us on ways to prevent contracting this diseases or how to live with them if we have been diagnosed with them already.

The Red Pump Project also celebrates other HIV/AIDS awareness events, partners with HIV/AIDS related organizations and raise funds HIV/AIDS service organizations throughout the United States.  The Red Pump Project is a nonprofit under The Red Project Collective. 

For more information on The Red Pump Project please click here.  Also, don’t forget to get tested.  Use the widget below to find a testing center in your location.

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Or Email:

info@theredpumpproject.com